ELEVATION 1/8

DIAGRAMS 2/8

SITE PLAN 3/8

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 4/8

SECTION 5/8

EXTERIOR PERSPECTIVE 6/8

INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE 7/8

PLANS DIAGRAMS 8/8

NEW AARCH – CREATIVE CLOUD

Concept

The creative hive that is Aarhus School of Architecture is framed within one simple building volume, containing an uninterrupted factory floor and spaces above for studying, collaborating, thinking and working in one architectural cloud suspended within the structure.

The creative cloud represents the free and borderless thinking and interaction characterising the school. The cloud is captured in location and brought down to earth by the factory floor, in Danish tradition linking academic thinking with an obsession for construction and details.

The existing school, hidden within the city, will be transformed to a display case in the new cultural axis in Aarhus, bringing an obligation to further engagement between school and city.

Building

With all workshop activities on one ground floor, the school becomes an industrial building, exhibiting the visible and tangible production to everyone; teachers, students and the public. Work can happen inside and outside, interaction does not happen in designated social zones, but where production takes place.

The structure rising above this floor contains closed studios, offices, study areas and open spaces for collaboration, exhibitions, library, eating and socialising. The project aims to break boundaries between different user groups, providing a myriad of meeting and working spaces within; one identity for everyone.

This structure is flexible and can accommodate variations over time to suit the organisation of the school. The students themselves will be able to rebuild the school. Alterations and extensions to a building exterior involve planning permissions and weather proofing. Inside, creativity can immediately manifest itself in built structures and new spaces. The making of the school will be an ongoing project. The simple fixed outer frame allows for maximum flexibility within.

Thus the school will engage both users and the public, through the visible production and display of architectural form and ideas.